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what is realtek pcie gbe family controller? why it appears NOW in my computer?

Anonymous
2011-03-30T21:31:44+00:00

My HP desktop is the Host of a Wireless network ( the guests are my HP laptop and the recently added Mac Mini Snow Leopard)

Just came back from Florida and now in my Network Screen I cannot find the name of my wireless network: I find now a LAN connection and the Device is Realtek pcie gbe family controller.

( my guest computers are able to connect to the internet, wireless, through the established network by the name of wwwxxxyyy).

Why can't I find this wireless connection by name in the Network and Sharing Center of the HP desktop (Host) computer ? What is  this Realtek? who makes it?

Am I SAFE in this peculiar situation?      Mab

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-03-30T22:09:25+00:00

    Realtek is the company that makes your network adapter (LAN) wired.

    Realtek pcie gbe familiy controller is the adapter itself.

    What do you mean by (...is the host of a wireless network)?

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-03-30T23:51:56+00:00

    Hi

    As said above (Lead3), the RealTek is the laptop's Wire Network card and it can exist in parallel to the Wireless. I.e., it should Not be the reason that the Wireless does not work.

    If your Wireless is Not working try to find out why.


    Assuming that the Router's Wireless is configured correctly that there is a strong signal and the Wireless card on the Computer is physically on.

    Maybe this can Help.

    Go over these steps and tell us where the breaking point is.

    Check the Device Manager for valid Wireless card entry.

    http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_dm.jpg

    If there is No valid entry, delete any Bogus Entry, and re-install the Wireless card's Drivers.

    Check the Network connections to make sure that you have a Wireless Network Connection Icon/Entry, and that the Properties of the Icon (right click on the Icon) are correctly configured with TCP/IPv4 protocol in the Network Connections Properties.

    http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_connection_tcp.jpg


    Many Wireless cards' drivers also install the vendor's Wireless utility.

    Make sure that if there is a vendor's Wireless Utility is Not Running together with the Windows native Wireless utility (WLAN Service) .


    Make sure that No Firewall is preventing/blocking the Wireless components to get to the Network.

    Some 3rd party Software Firewalls/AV/Security suit,s keep blocking aspects of Local Traffic even it they are turned Off (disabled).

    If possible configure the Firewall /Security suit correctly, otherwise totally uninstall it, and get rid of its residual processes to allow clean flow of local network traffic.

    If the 3rd party software is uninstalled or disables, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On .

    3rd party Network mangers like Bonjour, and NetMagic can block local traffic too.


    Working TCP/IP stack should look this way.

    Right click on the Wire card Network Connection, choose Status, Details, and see if it got an IP and the rest of the settings.

    http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/status-nic.jpg

    Description is the card manufacturing data.

    Physical address is the card's MAC number.

    The xx should be a number from 0 to 255 (all xx same number).

    yy should be from 0 to 255

    zz should be from 0 to 255 (all zz the same number.

    The lease date should be valid to the current time.

    *Note 1. IP that starts with 169.xxx.xxx.xxx is not valid functional IP.

    *Note 2. There might be an IPv6 entries too. However, they are not functional for Internet traffic or LAN. They are needed for Win 7 special HomeGroup configuration.


    A message in the Wireless little Window that says Connected does not means that your are really have a valid functional connection.

    If everything above is OK you have to be able to connect to the Router.

    Connecting to the Router means that you can enter the Router's core IP into an address bar of a browse, be able to connect, see, and configure the Router's menus.

    If it does not connecting to the Router, log from any computer that can connect to Wireless Router with a Wire, disable the Wireless Security, make sure that the Wireless broadcast SSID is On,  and try to connect with No Wireless security.

    Enable the Wireless security after you mange to establish a functional connection.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-03-31T17:38:27+00:00

    Based on what I am seeing from your answers, your desktop is not connected to the network wirelessly. It is connect by a wire to the router. That is why the wireless network connection  doesn't show in Network and Sharing.

    That is normal.

    When you are in Network and Sharing, select See Full Map.

    It will show how your network is connected.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2016-08-10T13:52:54+00:00

    I had a functioning wireless adapter in the hardware list running win 7 home prem OA but after win10 upgrade it disappeared completely?

    Now no wifi? Repeated attempts to fix this have failed HP laptop

    Don

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2011-03-31T18:14:41+00:00

    Great!   "see full map": there it is, my wireless circuit.

    With the explanations you and Jack provided, now it is clear the function of Realtek. I am reassured.

    Once more, my thanks for you prompt help.   Mab33

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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